AmaWaterways Wine Cruises for 2018

AmaWaterways has announced their 2018 Wine Cruises with 50+ itineraries hosted by North American winemakers, winery owners, and expert oenologists. The line’s wine cruises blend the best of both new and old world viticulture, by offering guests exclusive access to some of North America’s top winemakers and the opportunity to experience the iconic wine regions along Europe’s beautiful waterways.

The variety of North American wine regions, as well as the expertise and guidance shared during the trips are what makes them so popular. The 2018 schedule showcases enterprising husband and wife co-owners, families who share the passion of wine making, and at least nine remarkable women who are making their mark in the wine business.

The 2018 Wine Hosts Include:

• Martin and Megan Clubb – co-owners of L’Ecole N° 41 in Walla Walla Valley, Washington. They are third-generation winery owners who bring over 30 years of experience to the industry and have won numerous awards, including “Winery of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine for 14 consecutive years.
• Anthony Bell – winemaker and owner at Bell Wine Cellars. He is known for making the famed Georges de Latour, and has been deeply involved in many aspects that contribute to modern winemaking in Napa Valley.
• Paul and Merrill Bonarrigo – founders of Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas; they reintroduced the concept of winemaking in Texas. The Bonarrigos planted their first vineyard in 1977 and soon became pioneers of the Texas wine industry – Messina Hof is the fourth winery in the state.
• Sally and Fred Schweiger – designed and developed the Schweiger Estate with the help of family, and welcomed their first official harvest in 1984. Today, they are proud to be the longest property owners in the esteemed Spring Mountain AVA in Napa Valley, with ownership spanning four generations of living and working on the family estate.
• Amelia Ceja – president of Ceja Vineyards in Napa, California. She became the first Mexican-American woman ever to be elected president of a winery, and in 2005 was recognized by the California legislature as “Woman of the Year.” She received the coveted 2013 Academy of Marketing Science Distinguished Marketer Award for turning wine consumers into aficionados with her blend of viticulture, down-home cuisine, and a web-based marketing campaign.

Additional Wine Hosts for the 2018 wine cruises include individuals from Le Vigne Winery in California, Wolffer Estate Vineyard in New York, Kriselle Cellars in Oregon, Alpha Omega Winery in California, and King Family Vineyards in Virginia, among many others.

In addition to the onboard lectures and wine tastings, AmaWaterways offers a diverse selection of shore excursions that immerse guests in the destinations they’re visiting. Visitings to private cellars, strolls through vineyards, and time with world-class vintners and artisans are featured on the line’s excursions. Those who book a Wine Cruise by November 31, 2017 will receive an exclusive Early Booking Reward of up to $1,500 off per stateroom on select dates.